Introduction:
“If I Can’t Have You” is a disco classic written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb in 1977. The song was first recorded by Yvonne Elliman and released in November 1977 as part of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Her rendition became a major hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978. The Bee Gees recorded their own version shortly afterward, releasing it as the B-side to their iconic single Stayin’ Alive.
The track has since been featured on several Bee Gees compilations, including Their Greatest Hits: The Record. A remixed and remastered edition appeared on Bee Gees Greatest in 2007, which helped reintroduce the song to new audiences and even brought the Bee Gees back onto the US Hot Dance Tracks charts after decades. According to Maurice Gibb, If I Can’t Have You was among the very first songs they worked on during the sessions for the film soundtrack. Initial recordings took place at Château d’Hérouville in France before being completed at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles.
Saturday Night Fever, released in 1977 and directed by John Badham, became the defining disco film of its era. Starring John Travolta as Tony Manero, the story followed a young Brooklyn man whose weekends at the local disco gave him escape from the struggles of daily life. The film was both a critical and commercial success, propelling disco into global popularity and making Travolta an international star.
The soundtrack, anchored by Bee Gees compositions including Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever, How Deep Is Your Love, and If I Can’t Have You, went on to become one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time. The film and its music captured the glamour, energy, and spirit of the disco subculture of the late 1970s, from its dancefloor fashion to its symphonic arrangements. In 2010, Saturday Night Fever was recognized by the Library of Congress as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and added to the National Film Registry, ensuring that both the film and its unforgettable soundtrack would remain preserved for generations to come.
Video:
https://youtu.be/pJ4cnCzRvZM?si=eIBmKWf-GAQmea94